RedDotTours - Sri Lanka Island Tours

Day 1:
Arrive in Sri Lanka, to be met at the Katunayake International Airport by your driver-cum guide and be transferred by a/c car or minivan to your choice of hotel. You can opt for:

(i) Ranweli Village Hotel, in Waikkala, is an eco-friendly resort 18km from the airport. A short ferry ride across a scenic river glides you to the hotel situated in a peninsula surrounded by two rivers, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. After lunch, you may have a chance to look at some beautiful birdlife and begin to experience the rich biodiversity of the country.

(ii) Olenka Hotel, a new budget development with a quiet and unspoilt beach at Marawila, 20 miles north of trhe airport.

(iii) Blue Oceanic Hotel, Negombo. An immediate chance for beach relaxation after the flight at one of the best hotels in the good-value resort of Negombo.

(iv) Tamarind Tree: a convenient and restful hotel in spacious grounds, near the airport.

(v) Horathapola: a former planters house, stylishly updated, off the beaten track.

Select your hotel for one night:
<Hotel Info>

Optional Buddhism talk:
In the evening, we can arrange for you to have dinner with an expert in Buddhism, whose insights into this great religion may help you appreciate your tour all the more.
(Not available at Horathapola)

Do you want an expert talk on Buddhism?

Day 2:

Your destination this morning is Yapahuwa, described by the Insight Guide to Sri Lanka as "one of the great architectural wonders of the island,'' yet often overlooked on more predictable click-and-go trips around the cultural triangle. After the fall of the great capital of Polonnaruwa in 1236, the kings retreated to a series of fortified crags, among them Yapahuwa, a capital for about 12 years. Climb an impressive staircase, decorated by murals and guarded by lions, to what remains of the palace. If time permits visit Sasseruwa, an ancient cave monastery possessing a striking Buddha statue. Then onward to Aukana, where the Buddha stands 42 feet high, the best-preserved statue in Sri Lanka. As night falls, proceed to Anuradhapura.

Select your hotel for two nights:
<Hotel Info>

Day 3:
Mihintale is the cradle of Buddhism. If you wish, you can climb 1,840 steps, high above the palm trees, with the pilgrims to the summit of Mihantale rock. The pagodas and monastic cave dwellings are more easily experienced. Thereafter, visit the fabulous Mahakanadarawa' stone bridge, which dates back to the 7th century and is situated in the midst of the forest. Lunch at Mihintale Rest House.

After lunch, it is time to visit Anuradhapura: the royal capital of 113 ancient kings and once the greatest monastic city of the world. It served as Sri Lanka's capital for around 1,400 years until Polannuruwa took over in 1073. Archaeologists in the 18th century felt they were discovering a lost city, and you will understand why as you gaze upon the remains of the palaces, statues and pleasure gardens.

Day 4:
Your first target today is the Kalaweva one of the massive reservoirs built by King Dhatusena. Afterwards proceed to Ritigala and climb through the nature reserve to a monastic complex. This visit will give you a satisfying feel of nature as well as history and an preciation of the great Hindu legend of Ramayana.

After lunch, you have the option to experience a two-hour elephant ride through the lake and the forest.

You have a wide choice of hotels, from luxury to budget, for your next two nights. Once again, take a detailed look at the enticing options by clicking the Hotel Info

Optional elephant ride:
Do you want experience a two-hour elephant ride through the lake and the forest?

Select your hotel for two nights:
<Hotel Info>

Day 5:
For nature lovers, an early morning trek on a nature trail is possible. After breakfast, leave for Medirigiriya. This is another impressive cultural site off the tourist trail. Its remains of a circular temple are the finest in the island and beautiful setting adds to its appeal. Lunch at the Polonnaruwa Rest House, where Queen Elizabeth II stayed for one night when she visited Ceylon in 1954.

After visiting Polannuruwa museum, the afternoon is given over to an exploration of Polannuruwa itself, the famous medieval capital itself. Here, the tourists rightly flock, and you may wish to enhance your visit by exploring the remains, spread over two square miles, by bicycle.

Extra cultural triangle nights?
By the end of Day 6 you are due to leave the cultural triangle and travel to Kandy, capital of the hill country. But you can slow the pace by spending extra nights in the cultural triangle. You are free to change hotel for these extra nights if you wish, although unless you have specific plans, generally we advise that is more restful to retain your same hotel. Do you want extra nights in the cultural triangle before heading to Kandy?
Extra nights at Hotel <Hotel Info>

Day 6:

Sigiriya Rock is another of Sri Lanka's UNESCO world heritage sites and, no matter how often you climb to the summit of this one-time fortress of the murderous, maverick yet brilliant Sinhalese king, Kassapa, the pleasure barely diminishes. Many scholars believe that Kassapa sought to rule as a God-king. About two hours can happily be spent walking through its water gardens, and then up the steep steps - either hewn out of the rock or on circular iron staircases - past the frescoes probably depicting some of Kassapa's many wives. You will be in no rush to abandon the spectacular views at the summit.

When you finally return to ground level, proceed to a nearby Spice Garden, perhaps for an Ayurvedic massage and a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at the Spice Garden. After lunch drive through the Knuckles mountain range to Kandy, capital of the hill country.

Kandy has a range of excellent hotels - take a look at them here.

Select your hotel for two nights:
<Hotel Info>

Day 7:
Kandy, officially a city, but more a lakeside hill town, has so much to appeal. You can pre-select any of these excursions. Transport and entrance fees will be automatically built into the price. Or just choose to go it alone when you arrive.

Excursions:
Do you want to build into your itinerary;

A visit to the Temple of the Tooth. One of Sri Lanka's most sacred sites, where the tooth of the Lord Buddha is said to be held. Conveniently placed in central Kandy.

Kandy botanical gardens. Long tree-lined driveways, varied flora and fauna, restful lawns and an orchid house. Old colonial influences continued into the 21st century. A few miles out of town. Lunch at the garden cafeteria, under the shade of the trees.

The British cemetary, where the gravestones include that of the writer, Arthur Conan Doyle, and the archeological museum.

A round of golf at the fabulous Victoria golf club -- just in case you need a break from the culture!

Do you want to spend extra nights in Kandy?

Day 8:
Train travel often adds a sense of history and Sri Lanka is no exception. You have the option to wind through the mountain scenery, studded with tea plantations, en route to Nuwara Eliya by train, leaving your driver to transport your luggage by car. This most famous of Sri Lanka's hill stations, more than 6,000ft above sea level, is nicknamed Little England, although it has more of a feel of the West of Scotland.

Travel between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by

Select your hotel for one night. <Hotel Info>

Do you want to spend extra nights in Nuwara Eliya?

Day 9:
Even the most enthusiastic culture-seeker may be in need of a relaxing start to the day. Lie in if you prefer, but you have the option of rising early, armed with picnic breakfast packets, and being driven to Horton's Plains for a trek amid the wild scenery of this mountain plateau. Visit the famous viewpoint at World's End and watch out for Sambur deer, and a profusion of endemic bird life.

Do you want to visit the Horton Plains

By late morning, you depart for the Southern Highlands. Visit Ella Rest House and the Rawana Waterfalls before the road dives steeply to Haputale, one of the favourite haunts of the tea millionaire Sir Thomas Lipton. The Benedictine monastery of Addisham offers a a natural bird sanctuary. A brief stop at Bandarawela Hotel offers the chance to take a brief look at the forgotten British hill station; otherwise the rural splendour of Ella awaits.

Select your hotel for one night. <Hotel Info>

Do you want to spend extra nights in the Southern Highlands?

Day 10:
A long drive south-east takes you via Matara to Galle. On the way, it is advisable not to miss Hituwalena Cave, just off the main road at Balangoda - this time not Buddhist, but a Muslim holy place which is said to possess an underground cave that runs all the way to Mecca. Galle is your final destination, which you will explore the following day. The Closenberg Hotel, dark and brooding and a one-time colonial mansion for a wealthy shipping captain, would add to the holiday's historic feel. Otherwise, chose from a selection of hotels and villas convenient for Galle.

Advisory: If you only chose one night here, we advise that you ensure your hotel is close to Galle.
Select your hotel for one night. <Hotel Info>

Extra nights?
You will have an opportunity later, if you wish, for a beach stay further up the west coast. Firstly, though, do you want to spend extra nights in your selected Galle-area hotel?

Day 11:
The world heritage site of Galle's Dutch fort, with its well-preserved ramparts overlooking the cricket ground, and lighthouse staring into the Indian Ocean, deserves an early rise and exploration during the morning. This fortified south-coast town is enjoying a wave of popularity with artists, painters and a sprinkling of property developers who just fancy renovating a wonderful old property within the walls of the Fort.

By noon you head north towards the capital, Colombo.

Optinal excursions:
En route you can experience:
An afternoon boat ride in the mangrove swamps of the Madhu River, for two hours
A visit to the turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, now fulfilling a vital environmental role, also captivates many travellers.

By early evening, you will reach Colombo. The Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, once the most esteemed colonial hotel in Asia and possessing a celebrated history stretching back to the middle of the 19th century, would give your holiday added colonial feel, but a range of Colombo hotels are also available.

Chose your Colombo hotel for your last night <Hotel Info>

Additional beach break?
You have an opportunity to take a break on the west coast beaches before your last night in Colombo.

Do you want extra nights on the west coast beaches?
Select your west coast hotel: <Hotel Info>

Extra nights in Colombo?
Colombo is a capital city imbued with fresh optimism and should not be easily overlooked. It is well worth a couple of days' exploration at the end of your holiday. You have the option of a city tour at a time to suit you, which will take in a visit to the city museum. The Red Dot guide - an up-to-date guide to the city's best restaurants, bars, shops and cultural attractions - will also help you along the way.

Return the following day to Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines.

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